Suggs says breaking Big Ben's nose was 'awesome'

September 22, 2011|By Matt Vensel

The next installment of Steelers week is two months away, but Terrell Suggs took time this week to tell Sports Illustrated’s Peter King how “awesome” it was when the Ravens broke Ben Roethlisberger’s nose last season.

Appearing on King’s new weekly podcast -- Suggs was his special guest in the third episode -- the Ravens linebacker was asked to tell a story that illustrates the intensity of the Baltimore-Pittsburgh rivalry. Suggs chose the Steelers’ Week 13 win from a year ago because he and Roethlisberger were both bloodied.

“We got to Ben and we broke his nose [on] the first third down. That was awesome,” Suggs said. “You don’t want to hurt anybody, but it just goes to show how physical and grueling this game is. And then early in the third quarter, I get my mouth busted. I love the simple fact that there was a lot of blood and gore in that game. I tell my mom and my daughter all the time, ‘We’re barbarians. We’re gladiators of our time.’”

On the play Suggs referred to, Ravens defensive tackle Haloti Ngata inadvertently smacked the Steelers quarterback in the face while attempting to swat a pass. The hit drew a 15-yard penalty and a fine.

Will Suggs’ latest comment get Steelers fans riled up?

Who knows, but Suggs is probably hoping it does.

“I love being the bad guy. I love to go play in Pittsburgh,” Suggs told King. “I try to have as much fun as I can. … I love being Public Enemy No. 1. I believe it’s the greatest honor one can have.”